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05/07/2004 04:33:19 PM · #1 |
Here is my question for all of you. What do you think is better. Having normal rechargeable batteries, such as AAA or AA. Or the other kind such as Lithium-Ion Batteries (the special shape kind.. how is that for a vague description, hopefully you know what I am talking about).
Right now I have a Canon G3 and I like that I can charge the battery inside the camera. But say I'm out somewhere and the battery dies, I don't have the option of running into a convenience store and buy some AA and keep shooting.
There are advantages to both kinds. I can't seem to make up my mind as to which ones is better. I was hoping to get some opinions on this.
Thanks,
Mike |
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05/07/2004 04:34:06 PM · #2 |
The higher the MaH the better.
Message edited by author 2004-05-07 16:37:04. |
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05/07/2004 04:44:32 PM · #3 |
Do you know what happens if you put the batteries backwards in the Energizer bunny?
He keeps coming and coming and... :)
In any case... you will save tons of money of you go with rechargeables (and not Alkalines).
Message edited by author 2004-05-07 16:46:45. |
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05/07/2004 04:51:58 PM · #4 |
Nimh are cheap, about $2 each, the chargers are $10 or so at large discount stores. they come in standard sizes - AA, AAA, etc.
LiIon batts are more money, require special (expensive) chargers and are usually made specific to an application.
I do not know the life expectancy of the LiIon type other than the ones in my laptop are dead. Nimh are good for 1000 or more charges - so if you have 2 sets, each set takes 300 pics (or more usually) and you take 200 pics a week (a goodly amount) then the two sets of batteries will last you about 59 years.
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05/07/2004 05:05:54 PM · #5 |
the general basics:
Proprietary Li-Ion batts are rechargable and generally give the best performance. AND they are EXPENSIVE :) as always...
NiMH are rechargable, and much LESS expensive, BUT they also have a relatively short "shelf life" you can expect to lose about 10% of a NiMH charge in about the first 24 hours after it comes out of the charger. After that initial drain, the "charge-loss" drops off to (if i remember correctly) something like 2-3% per day. for this reason it is recommended that you keep the batts in the charger until you're ready to head out and you'll prob also want to keep an extra set on hand as well. i think that the typical claim is about 1000 charges.
OTC Li-Ions are NOT rechargable but have a great "shelf life" but are relatively expensive compared to NiMH. so if you tend to shoot very rarely, these might be of interest to you. (but the NiMH still seem to make sense to me - after the proprietary Li-Ions of course)
some basics can be found over here (these are stats for phones, but the tech is still the same):
//www.batteries4less.com/contents/Battery_Guide
and yes, beaware of milliamp hours (mAH) my suggestion would be to shoot for a minimum of about 2000 mAH. Lenmar has got some great 2300s out and their "1hour speed charger" is supposed to be pretty good.
Message edited by author 2004-05-07 17:14:37. |
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05/07/2004 05:22:13 PM · #6 |
buy a spare set of rechargeables and a charger and you'll save yourself a lot of time, money and aggravation. I have NiMH ones and I haven't had any trouble with them.
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05/07/2004 05:23:59 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by cooliak:
Here is my question for all of you. What do you think is better. Having normal rechargeable batteries, such as AAA or AA. Or the other kind such as Lithium-Ion Batteries (the special shape kind.. how is that for a vague description, hopefully you know what I am talking about).
There are advantages to both kinds. I can't seem to make up my mind as to which ones is better. I was hoping to get some opinions on this.
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It's actually a pretty tough call. Mostly it boils down to what kind of photography you plan on doing. If you plan on moving to a dSLR- you are going to end up using lithium ion batteries. The D70 actually has a holder that you can pop some non-rechargable batteries into if your main battery pack runs out.
I personally have taken to carrying my Canon A40 as a backup camera. It uses AA batteries. I have a set of Maha batteries and love them.
What type of shooting do you want to do, and why is having the ability to grab a set of AAs so appealing?
--Clara
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05/07/2004 05:26:59 PM · #8 |
hmmm. Could I use NiMH batteries for my Canon 550EX and 420EX? I suppose I could. I'd have to charge up 8 batteries before a shoot. The price per battery isn't too bad. I'm just looking it up on Ebay. Maybe get 2 chargers and 8 batteries. Any thoughts on those "fast" chargers, ie. 2 hours?
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05/07/2004 05:47:09 PM · #9 |
fast chargers, I have heard, also "uncharge" quickly..ie: you get an initial 'high energy' output then it dies down quickly and ultimately is drained faster, but I haven't had that problem and my charger charges in about 4hrs (not 2).
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05/07/2004 07:05:42 PM · #10 |
How come you know so much about batteries? muwuhahahahahahahahahahaha! Feel free to kick me in the shins. Only the shins please.
bzzzzzzzzzzz :O
Originally posted by frisca:
fast chargers, I have heard, also "uncharge" quickly..ie: you get an initial 'high energy' output then it dies down quickly and ultimately is drained faster, but I haven't had that problem and my charger charges in about 4hrs (not 2). |
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05/07/2004 07:09:18 PM · #11 |
Well, ever since you got married, Jacko.....I've had a digital camera. ;)
*aims for Jacko's shin, but since he's a short man, hits other vitals instead*
Originally posted by Jacko:
How come you know so much about batteries? muwuhahahahahahahahahahaha! Feel free to kick me in the shins. Only the shins please.
bzzzzzzzzzzz :O
Originally posted by frisca:
fast chargers, I have heard, also "uncharge" quickly..ie: you get an initial 'high energy' output then it dies down quickly and ultimately is drained faster, but I haven't had that problem and my charger charges in about 4hrs (not 2). |
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05/07/2004 08:03:02 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by frisca:
fast chargers, I have heard, also "uncharge" quickly..ie: you get an initial 'high energy' output then it dies down quickly and ultimately is drained faster, but I haven't had that problem and my charger charges in about 4hrs (not 2). |
Not possible.
you take out 2100 Mah and you put in 2100Mah. it can go in fast or out fast, or slow either way.
Generally, slow chargers are better for nimh batts - heat is not good for them and charging fast makes them get hot.
A GOOD fast charger will monitor the temp and adjust the charge rate accordingly.
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05/07/2004 09:07:56 PM · #13 |
Check out the Lenmar Mach charger series. I use one for my Canon G2 batteries, it's very fast and good. It came with a Sony attachment too, so I could charge my camcorder batteries as well. There are other "plate" adapters.
I also have tons of NIMH AA batteries for my kids cameras (Canon A60 and Olympus 550Z). And NIMH AAA for the walkie talkies. I use a slow lenmar charger for those, but it takes about 6 hours. They have a Mach charger for the AA/AAA too which is supposed to be good. I have one in my basket in Amazon, been planning to buy it for days. I'll add the link later, I have to go right now.
I think both Li rechargeables and the NIMH are good. (But the AA size gives you more choices, in a pinch.) |
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05/10/2004 09:38:25 AM · #14 |
get some 2100mAH lithium ion rechargeables. they're pricey, but they pack plenty of juice, and if you shoot a lot like me, they pay for themselves in the first few charges
:)
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05/10/2004 09:52:24 AM · #15 |
| To answer Cooliak's original question, I prefer the G3's Li-ion. The battery life is amazing and I simply carry a spare. With two charged batteries, you'd have a tough time running out of juice in a day before you could get back to a charger. The only trouble I've ever had with battery life was on the 420ex flash (that takes regular AA). Two sets of NiMH rechargeables solved that problem, which should answer Jacko's question (not the one posed to Frisca). If anyone's interested, I found a 24-pack of 2250mAH AA batteries for $32 here. |
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05/13/2004 10:26:38 PM · #16 |
***BE ON THE LOOKOUT***
NEW IN 2007!!!
//slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/13/2235211
or if you don't want to be bothered with slashdot...cut directly to the article. (but you should check out slashdot :)
//www.mobilemag.com/content/100/102/C2838/
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05/14/2004 12:52:27 AM · #17 |
Anyone try MC2 Technologies batteries? Found this at After5PM.net, and you buy one get one free, free shipping too!
Canon BP-511 by MC2 Technology (1500 mAhr)
Code: MC_HE-XLBP511
Price:$24.99
In Stock
Haven't bought from After5PM but they have good reviews on resellerratings.com
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05/14/2004 01:38:58 AM · #18 |
I swear by Monster batteries AA's (recharge). They are excellent and last for a very very long time! My canon 10D has a funky battery that I can't just go get at a store, so I have to have two with me at all times and always keep them charged before I go out.
But if you go with AA's, go with Monster! They are more money, but sooooo worth it. I have had the same 8 batteries for my Olympus 3020z for 3 years!!! And, I use them with my Gameboy color when I go on trips. So, they are great batteries!!!
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